Yifa looked at me in puzzlement, as if she didn't understand what was being said.
　However, I don't know what to say to her either.

　The prince continued, "The king of Astiria in his day was my mother," he said.

The current King of Astiria is his mother, Her Majesty the Queen, and the current harem is nominally open for me, who is the first in the line of succession. It's enough to be educated in such a fine school. Yifa, you must be a very wise and noble woman. I hope you will come to the palace for the sake of my country and me.

　Yifa, too, seems to have finally figured out the situation by then.
　With a small depressed look, but with a firm voice sound, she says

I'm sorry........I'm, well, I'm the slave of the, well, Seika.......that kind of thing is a bit, impossible.......
My God... weren't you a student of the school?
'No, no, I'm a student, but...'
Hmm, I see. Then you are still a woman of talent, aren't you? That's no problem then. Sir Seika, I will buy her at her asking price. Shall I pay you in gold?

　I'm stunned, but I barely open my mouth.

Oh, you know...
"Young

　The sub-race woman said just that in a cold voice tone.
　Then the prince instantly looked embarrassed.

I know, Lise. I'm sorry, Sir Seika. I'm sure this was not the purpose of our meeting, but let's get down to business. Let's get down to business.
''Well then, let's move to a new location, Your Highness. We'll draw attention to ourselves here without a second thought. Let's take a room in the academy, this way.

　As I walk away, I think to myself.
　Is this guy okay?


****


　The headmaster knew in advance that the prince would be coming to the school, so we were able to smoothly rent a reception room for high ranking officials.
　We were facing each other in that room.

"....

　For some reason, Yifa was sitting next to me, looking nervous.
　I don't know why, because it was the prince's request, but...well, I don't need to worry about that for now.

　I pulled myself together and opened my mouth.

I'm sure you'll be able to tell me about the situation in the old capital first.
"Mmm, I suppose that's where we start, Sir Seika.
Before I begin, Your Highness, I do not require the title of sir. I have not received a title from my father, nor do I plan to.
Mmm, that's right........I'll call you Mister Seika then. You're close in age, and that's easy for me to do.

　The prince said that with a smile.
　There's elegance in every word and action.

I'm not sure if you know which city is the old royal capital, but do you know what city?
'Yes. It's a city about half a day's carriage ride west of the royal capital, Asta, right, Proto Asta?

　The former royal capital is precisely a city with such a name.
　The meaning seems to be 'the former royal capital of Astiria' or something like that.
　The prince nodded and began to speak.

It has only weakened since the relocation of the capital about a hundred years ago, but Protoasta is still a large city in our country. Since the relocation of the capital, it has become customary for the person who will succeed to the throne to serve as the head of the city. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

　This was unexpected.
　I thought it was just an emissary, but I didn't realize that the prince himself was the head of the old royal capital.

　It was a practice I hadn't heard of in my previous life, but it might make sense in terms of giving him experience in bureaucratic work beforehand.

　The Prince continues.

He continues, "And the dragons of Astiria have been living with the people there for more than a hundred years before the transition. They have made their home in the mountains near the city.
That's great.

　I was frankly surprised.
　I don't know of any previous life where a powerful incarnation had lived with people for more than two hundred years. Aside from guardian deities, it is usually difficult for them to coexist in a place like a human settlement.

　The prince nodded divinely.

''Mm. I'm sure you've heard from Lord Blaise that he once fought with his ancestors against the enemy army approaching the capital and drove them back... but for the past year or so, that dragon has been acting strangely.
'So it's only been the last year or so. As I recall, you've started attacking livestock and people.
Um....

　The Prince nodded gravely.

'The damage is not so serious. The only thing that was attacked was a few stray sheep that were grazing. The only people attacked were those from outside the city who carelessly entered the mountains where the dragons live. Although he was injured, he wasn't eaten because he just stepped off the cliff while escaping. It's just that ... there's something wrong with him, that's for sure. This wasn't the case before, and he's clearly becoming more cautious. Lately, it's been particularly bad, and it's even threatening the city's people who encounter it outside the city walls.
'Do dragons make a distinction between the humans of the city and the rest of us?
'Hmm. I wonder how many times they will remember the faces they see. Although they don't land inside the city walls, they used to land near the meadows and fields around the city, often in a daze. He didn't mind if there were people nearby. However, there are many peddlers and travelers from other cities who claim to have been stared at or chased from the sky.
I see...

　Are you wary of anyone coming from outside your territory?
　I just don't understand how they accept the humans inside of them.

'In the first place, why don't the dragons of Astiria attack people?　From what I've read in the literature and such, I don't think dragons are monsters that can live with people.
I don't know what exactly. It's just that it's always been that way.

　The Prince says.

There is a legend, however, that the dragon was once hatched from an egg by the Queen of Astoria.
The dragon hatched by man...?
It's just folklore. I've heard that dragon eggs are rarely, if ever, found in the market, but I've never heard of a human hatching them.
....

　Snakes, turtles and lizards' eggs usually hatch without doing anything.
　I thought dragons would be similar, but no?

I said the damage isn't serious, but I'm not very optimistic.

　The prince says gravely.

The cattle are so frightened that grazing is hindered, and the peddlers are refraining from doing any serious business. There is also unrest among the people. And to top it all off ... there's also the alarm of the Empire.

　The prince's eyes are fixed on me.

"I want you to see this through to the end, Lady Seika.

　The prince said with a serious expression on his face.
　He is ostensibly in a higher position than me, but I'm actually in a higher position. My report can make or break Astiglia's situation," he said.
　From the way she says it, I'm sure she has a solution to her dragon problem.

　I smile at her.

"Of course, Your Highness. "Of course, Your Highness, my father has assigned me to investigate, discuss and report on this matter in an academic manner.

　The prince's expression suddenly softened as he uttered a mutually understandable construction, meaning that he would look at it neutrally.

I'm just interested in the academic aspects of it. But I'm also interested in the academic considerations. What do you think, Lord Seika? I'm sure you'll be able to find out what you think at this point in time.
'Well...'

　I think.
　There were some things that were of interest to me, but there was too little information to say for now.

We need to go to the site and get a detailed record of what happened.
Okay. So what about Yifa?

　And that's when the prince turned to Yifa, who had been silent the whole time.
　Yifa raised her voice, clearly upset.

''Eh, eh, is it me?''
Hmm. I wonder if you have any ideas.
I don't know what you are, Seika, and if you don't know who you are, then you can't know...

　The Prince smiles and tells him.

'I'm the one who asks for it. You don't have to worry about your master. I want your opinion.
'Yeah ... um ...'

　Yifa was troubled for a while, then she opened her mouth.

I'm not sure what I'm talking about, but........didn't you experience something like this in the past?
"Hmm.

　The prince put a hand to his chin and pondered.

'I've never heard of it, but it might be worth reviewing the records. 'Thank you, Yifa. From now on, I will rely on your insights.
Huh, huh...
Yes. How about a dinner tonight? If we can talk at length with Seika-dono and others...
"Young

　A sub-race woman standing beside her said with a crisp, "It's a hindrance to the escort plan.

"It's a distraction to our escort plan. Pull yourself together.

　The prince makes a bitter face.
　He seems to be a squire or an escort, but his position seems strong.

　He has silky thin platinum hair and green eyes. He is tall and has long, pointed ears.
　Probably an elf.
　A race that excels in archery and magic. I can't help but feel a strong flow of power.

　The only thing that bothers me is the fact that since we met in the cafeteria, I've been under a strong watchful eye.
　I have a feeling it's not even for the sake of protection.
　If anything, it's closer to what was often directed at me in my previous life.

　Eyes that contain awe.

　I don't know. Can they sense my power?
　But we only just met.

'I know, Lizze,'

　The prince replies to the elf with a bitter look on his face.

"I am sorry, Lady Seika. My bodyguards are very anxious.
No, no, don't worry about it.
Well, I'd better be off. I'll see you on the road.
Yes, Your Highness.

　The prince and his elven guards leave the room.
　When all signs of life disappear from the front of the room, I let out a breath and sit down in the parlor chair again, resting my body against the back.

　This is tiring.
　It reminded me of my days as a bureaucrat, when I was humbled by high-powered aristocrats.
　I was so sick of it. It's one of the reasons why I've been halfway out of the sunshine dormitory.

　Yifa, who is still standing, asks me anxiously.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything profane, right?　It's okay...?
'What?　Oh, it's okay. It's okay, okay. And I think you had some pretty valid opinions, too.

　Similar cases that have happened in the past are rather the first thing to look for. From this, we can often derive possible future events and solutions.
　It's doubtful that the prince did it by the looks of him.

　When I remember our earlier conversation I'm starting to get annoyed.

　That prince........is everything alright?
　Didn't you think that asking a squire's opinion without his master would be taken as the least bit rude?
　I mean, after inviting other people's slaves to the palace, you're going to buy them out, or even in normal times, would you do it now?　
　What kind of nerve do you have to try to seduce a woman with a female squire in the first place?

　The word "no good man" comes to mind undeniably.

''Oh, Yifa you don't have to follow me this time, but you don't have to.
What? Why?　I'm not pushing myself. I'll follow you, Seika-kun, I'm your squire.
'Oh, yeah...'

　I'm just going to return it to Yifa, who looks at me blankly.

　Well ... let's see.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what's going on.
　It's probably not like he's a bottomless pit of incompetence.

　Even though he was a genus, he was a royal family. It's also a prince who is the first in line of succession.
　He has the position and money. He's not a bad person to be liked.
　I'm sure he'll be treated well in the palace. It's a perfect place to carry a bridegroom.

　I glanced at Yifa.
　I think she's become beautiful. I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do with it.
　This year is the 15th year for this child. This is also the year of coming of age in this world.
　The time has come for him to decide his own future.

　It would be a shame to be out of touch, but maybe it's not so bad to be able to help out in another country.

　If Yifa wishes.
　I might as well let Astilia marry her off.


****


　On the way back to the men's dormitory, a strong force pulled me into the bushes.

'Be quiet,'
You're gonna have to clean out your mouth.
....

　He holds my mouth and looks up at Mabel and Amu while I'm on my back.
　I knew they were there, but I didn't expect them to do this to me.

What have you been talking to that prince about?
...What do you mean, the situation in the old royal capital and the dragons? We talked about it at lunch.

　I waited for Mabel to move her hand away and I answered, and Amu raised an eyebrow.

I don't care about that. What I want to ask you is about Yifa. I want to ask you about Yifa. You took the trouble to take her with you.
'Uh....'
Are you... are you trying to sell out Yifa?
'No, no. We really only talked about dragons. So there's nothing to talk about.
Really?
It's true. Well, His Highness seemed to like Yifa a lot.

　The two girls look at each other.
　Then Mabel asks.

''Are you sure you're not going to sell Yifa?''
No. You don't trust me that much?
Not really, but...
Well, it's just...

　I say, "If Yefa wants to, I'll let her go.

"If Yifa wants, I'll let her go. "because in Astoria, she wouldn't need a guardian.
In Astiglia, you mean... that's Yifa going into the back palace?
If he says he'll take you up on your offer.
What are you talking about?　She wouldn't say that.
What are you guys talking about?

　The tone of voice becomes a little blaming.

''Yifa is an adult this year. It's not every day that you get the chance to be approached by another country's royalty. It's time for her to decide her own future. It's time for her to make up her own mind about her future.

　The two girls who heard it had subtle expressions on their faces.

　Mabel says fearfully.

'I understand what Seika is saying, but........don't tell Yifa about it. She'll probably be sad.''
Why are you sad?　And if you don't tell me, you can't choose.
Please.
All right, fine. But not if it's on your mind.
Yeah, that's okay.

　Pushing Amu, who still wanted to say something, Mabel left.

　Well, I'm sure they were both worried about Yifa.
　It would certainly be a pity if the useless manly prince forced her into the rear palace.

　You'll be relieved to hear that, both of you.
　I will respect Yifa's wishes.

　But I'm sure that Amu and Mabel are both capable of surviving on their own. And so is Yifa.
　She could work her way up to a career at the academy.
　But there are other options.

　Some of my students have chosen to do this despite their talents.

　They lived and died happy, and I'm not going to deny them that.